Alumni Accomplishments

Lawrence Murphy, '79, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the area of Commercial Litigation. He is with Honigman.September 5, 2014

I. W. Winsten, '79, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the areas of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation. He is with Honigman.September 5, 2014

I. W. Winsten, '79, of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Susan Patton, '79, of Butzel Long has been named a Fellow, Health Care Law Section, State Bar of Michigan. The Fellows Program recognizes those individuals who have made sustained, outstanding contributions to the section, and who are regarded as top health care attorneys in Michigan. September 30, 2014

Wayne Miller, '79, was named one of 30 "Leaders in the Law" for 2015 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is with Miller & Tischler PC.February 10, 2015

Alan Kanter, '79, a complex commercial litigator with Vestevich Mallender DuBois & Dritsas PC, was inducted into Worldwide Registry. To be a part of the Worldwide Registry, candidates must be selected by a research committee based on their past accomplishments and awards received. Candidates must complete a phone interview before being extended an invitation to become a member.February 25, 2015

Michael Leib, '79, launched LeibADR in Bloomfield Hills to provide metro Detroit law firms and the courts with mediation and arbitration services. Leib, who retired from trial law in 2014, has almost 35 years of practice during which he tried cases in federal courts, including the bankruptcy court, and state courts, and appeared before arbitration panels involving a wide range of complex commercial, insolvency, contract, real estate, probate and employment matters. Leib's experience also includes roles as an arbitrator, case evaluator and mediator.June 30, 2015

Adrianne Mazura, '78, was selected for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America 2013" in the fields of employment law - management and labor Law - management. She is an attorney in the Chicago office of Quarles & Brady LLP.October 3, 2012

Steven Howell, '78, was listed in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. He also was selected by Best Lawyers in America as "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation-Bankruptcy. He is a member and practice department manager for Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, and Municipal Finance in Dickinson Wright PLLC's Detroit office.October 22, 2012

Thomas Hammerschmidt Jr., '78, was listed in Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law. Hammmerschmidt is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Detroit. He focuses his practice in the areas of corporate, corporate governance, estate planning and administration, international, and taxation.October 22, 2012

Gary Rogers, '78, was named 2013 Lawyer of the Year by "Best Lawyers" in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights /Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Only one lawyer, in each practice area, in each community is honored as the Lawyer of the Year by "Best Lawyers." Rogers' statewide bankruptcy practice consists primarily of assisting creditors faced with attempting to recover monies owed by debtors in bankruptcy or defending actions brought by debtors. He has been handling bankruptcy matters for Fraser Trebilcock clients for nearly 30 years. Rogers also has an extensive experience as a personal injury trial lawyer. In 2011, Rogers was also named Top Lawyer by American Registry's Corporate Counsel.October 31, 2012

Gregory Reed, '78, is the author of 16 books, including "Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons - A Dialogue with America's Young Leaders," which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Best Literary Work - Youth/Teens for 2012. Reed earned his JD from Wayne Law in 1974 and an LL.M. degree from Wayne Law in 1978.December 17, 2012

Adrianne Mazura, '78, has been invited to join the board of directors of Changing Worlds. Mazura is a partner with national law firm Quarles & Brady LLP, and a member of the firm's Labor & Employment Practice Group. She has represented employers in every area of employment law, including union organizing campaigns, collective bargaining negotiations and defense of numerous individual and multiparty cases throughout the country. She is consistently listed in Illinois Super Lawyers, Chambers USA, and The Best Lawyers in America for her labor and employment work and was named one of the Top 50 and Top 100 Women Lawyers in Illinois by Super Lawyers in 2013. For 16 years, Changing Worlds has partnered with more than 50 public schools, community-based and civic organizations in Chicago and beyond to foster inclusive communities through oral history, writing and art programs that improve student learning, affirm identity and enhance cross-cultural understanding.
April 6, 2013

Gregory Reed, '78, (LL.M.) is the author of 16 books, including "Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons - A Dialogue with America's Young Leaders," which was awarded the 2013 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature. Reed earned his J.D. from Wayne Law in 1974 and an LL.M. degree from Wayne Law in 1978. President Obama and Michelle Obama personally honored Reed with a private inscribed commendation for sharing their commitment in supporting our youth as they "engage in a meaningful dialogue." Reed's specialties in the legal profession include intellectual property, entertainment law, corporate and tax laws. His clients are preeminent in their fields; his professional and civic contributions carry national and global significance. Reed has worked with Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X's and Alex Haley's Legacy, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Coretta Scott King, Aretha Franklin and six world boxing champions. Reed chairs and founded the proposal to establish the Detroit Entertainment Commission, established by Detroit City Council in 2009, to employ how arts and entertainment can be used as tools for economic, social and cultural development. Reed has received numerous awards including the International Humanitarian Award from Canada. He is a preservationist of American culture who has launched the first major exhibit between America and South Africa's history entitled, "Dear Mr. Mandela...Dear Mrs. Parks- Children's Letters: Global Lessons". Reed was Nelson Mandela's personal escort at the exhibit premier for Mandela's 90th birthday.April 19, 2013

Adrianne Mazura, '78, was named by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine as among the top attorneys in Illinois for 2014. a Chicago-based partner at Quarles & Brady LLP, Mazura also was named in the Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers list and in the Top 50 Women Illinois Super Lawyers list. Her field of recognition is Employment Litigation: Defense.January 23, 2014

Timothy Busch, '78, founded The Busch Firm in Irvine, California, 35 years ago. The Busch Firm now has joined forces with Michael Caspino, previously with Brady Vorwerck,Ryder and Caspino, to form Busch & Caspino - a new full-service law firm concentrating on business, estate and tax planning and corporate real estate and business litigation as well as religious organizations and canon law. Busch also is the founder of Pacific Hospitality Group, a hotel development and management firm; Trinitas Cellars, Napa Institute; and he co-founded JSerra Catholic High School and St. Anne School. He also is is a certified professional accountant and real estate broker.March 14, 2014

Nancy Diehl, '78, was named by Gov. Rick Snyder as one of 15 appointments to the newly created Indigent Defense Commission, which aims to improve legal representation for low-income criminal defendants. The board collects data necessary for the review of indigent defense services in Michigan, and creates standards and requirements. She is retired as trial division chief of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and will represent members submitted by the State Bar of Michigan.June 24, 2014

Robert Kaplow, '78, of Maddin Hauser Roth & Heller PC has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the areas of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates.August 19, 2014

Mark Granzotto, '78, of Mark Granzotto PC was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Monika Holzer Sacks, '78, of the law firm of Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg celebrated the firm's 20th anniversary. She was named president of the Michigan chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for 2013-14 and is a founding member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan.October 24, 2014

Gary Rogers, '78, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015. Rogers was recognized in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency, Reorganization Law, and Litigation - Insurance. He is with Fraser Trebilcock.October 28, 2014

Steven Howell, '78, of Dickinson Wright PLLC was awarded the Barbara J. Rom Award for Bankruptcy Excellence from the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter. Howell is a member in the firm's Detroit office. He also serves as the practice department manager for the firm's Banking & Finance, Creditors' Rights, Municipal Finance and International Law Practices.November 4, 2014

Steven Howell, '78, was named one of 30 "Leaders in the Law" for 2015 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is with Dickinson Wright PLLC.February 10, 2015

Jules Olsman, '78, was named one of 30 "Leaders in the Law" for 2015 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is with Olsman Mueller Wallace & MacKenzie.February 10, 2015

W. Patrick Dreisig, '77, was named a 2012 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by DBusiness magazine. This is the third year he's been named. Dreisig is a vice president at Butzel Long and serves on the firm's Board of Directors. He is co-chair of the firm's Global Automotive Industry Group and a member of the firm's Business Law Practice.August 20, 2012

Lawrence McLaughlin, '77, was named in the International Who's Who of Real Estate Lawyers for 2012. McLaughlin, who was also named in the International Who's Who in 2011, is the chair of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Real Estate Department. He has been recognized by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business for the past nine years and as a "star" in Michigan real estate for six consecutive years. He also has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for more than 20 years and by Michigan Super Lawyers for eight years. In addition, McLaughlin was named one of 25 "Leaders in the Law" for 2011 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. McLaughlin is also a member of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers and serves on its board of governors and program committee.October 23, 2012

Patrick King, '77, was recognized as a 2013 Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine as the only attorney representing policyholders in the practice area of Insurance Law. With more than 35 years experience, King has litigated hundreds of cases involving insurance matters, including potential arson and fraud defenses. One notable achievement in his career is obtaining one of the largest multi-million dollar judgments against an insurance agent in Michigan's legal history. In addition, King is a certified fire and explosion investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators and has lectured extensively on a variety of topics relating to the origin and cause of fires and explosions. He has also been appointed to the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committee on Fire Investigations as an alternate member and co-authored the chapter on property insurance in Michigan Insurance Law and Practice published by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association for Justice, National Fire Protection Association, and International Association of Arson Investigators. He is a shareholder with Farmington Hills-based law firm Fabian, Sklar, & King PC.November 20, 2012

W. Patrick Dreisig, '77, was elected to serve a two-year term on the Board of Directors at Butzel Long. Dreisig is a shareholder and vice president practicing in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office. He is co-chair of the firm's Finance Committee and Global Automotive Industry Group and a member of the firm's Business Law Practice. He focuses his practice in general business law and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, recapitalizations, debt and equity finance transactions, venture capital transactions, supply agreements, intellectual property development and licensing transactions, customer and supplier workouts, entity selection and formation, corporate governance and business succession. He practices extensively within the automotive supplier industry. He is highly experienced in representing automotive suppliers in structuring and negotiating long term supply and other commercial arrangements with automotive manufacturers and other suppliers. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America.March 29, 2013

W. Patrick Dreisig, '77, was named a 2012 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager by DBusiness magazine. This is the fourth year he's been named. Dreisig is a vice president at Butzel Long and serves on the firm's Board of Directors. He is co-chair of the firm's Global Automotive Industry Group and a member of the firm's Business Law Practice.July 23, 2013

Chad Schmucker, '77, was selected by the Michigan State Bar Foundation trustees for its 2013 Access to Justice Award. The award, which will be presented Sept. 18 during the State Bar's annual meeting in Lansing, honors an individual who has significantly advanced access to justice for the poor in Michigan. Schmucker was named state court administrator by the Michigan Supreme Court in 2011. He oversees administration of all the state's trial courts, four regional SCAO offices and all SCAO divisions, including the Michigan Judicial Institute, Judicial Information Systems, Child Welfare Services, Friend of the Court Bureau, Office of Dispute Resolution, Statistical Research, and Trial Court Services. The foundation's award acknowledges Schmucker's long public service as a judge and now as state court administrator in helping those with barriers to access to courts.
July 26, 2013

Chad Schmucker, '77, was selected to be the eighth president of the National Judicial College. After 20 years as a Jackson County Circuit Court Judge, Schmucker became the Michigan state court administrator in 2011. In that post, he oversaw management of the state's 246 trial courts, implemented a Michigan version of trial court performance measures, and developed a plan for court governance to promote cooperation and efficiency among courts. The NJC was founded in 1963 and is one of the nation's leading providers of judicial education and justice improvement initiatives. It is housed at the University of Nevada, Reno. The NJC is a Nevada not-for-profit educational entity affiliated with the American Bar Association, governed by an 18-member Board of Trustees.
September 18, 2013

Lawrence Jordan, '77, was selected by Best Lawyers as "2014 Lawyer of the Year" in his practice area. With more than 35 years of experience, Jordan received the 2014 recognition for his work in copyright law. He has previously been named the Ann Arbor "Lawyer of the Year" for trademark law and intellectual property law. Currently, he is managing partner at the Ann Arbor office of Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC, and leads the Jaffe Intellectual Property Practice Group as practice group coordinator. Jordan represents companies, foundations and creative individuals on strategies to protect and commercialize inventions, creations and ideas. Jordan has also been recognized multiple times by Super Lawyers, DBusiness and Martindale Hubbell (highest rating for skills and ethics). He has also received the "John Hensel Award" from the Arts Communications, Entertainment and Sports Section of the State Bar of Michigan and an honorary resolution from the Michigan Senate.September 19, 2013

Wendy Lynn Potts, '77, was named as one of the metropolitan area's top circuit court judges by DBusiness magazine in its January/February 2014 edition. The top judges were selected via a poll of 18,200 attorneys. Potts is an Oakland County Circuit Court judge.February 10, 2014

Linda Hallmark, '77, served as the chairperson and moderator for the Governor's Task Force on Children's Justice Summit held May 21-23, 2014, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. The focus of the summit was Medication and Mental Health Concerns for Children in Care. Hallmark is chief judge pro tem of the Oakland County Probate Court and also serves in the Circuit Court Family Division. She is one of 18 members of the multidisciplinary task force appointed by Gov. Snyder to focus on setting policies and protocols for victims of child abuse and neglect.May 30, 2014

Lawrence McLaughlin, '77, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the areas of Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law. He is with Honigman.September 5, 2014

Alan Valade, '77, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the areas of Tax Law, Trusts and Estates. He is with Honigman.September 5, 2014

Lawrence McLaughlin, '77, of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Lawrence McLaughlin, '77, of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, chair of the firm's Real Estate Department, was named co-chair of the International Council of Shopping Centers 2015 U.S. Law Conference and will serve as chair of the conference in 2016. He has served on the conference Program Planning Committee since 2004.
September 30, 2014

Wendy Potts, '77, was selected as one of 27 Esteemed Women of Michigan 2014. The Esteemed Women of Michigan program recognizes women who have excelled in their professions, risen above intolerable circumstances, developed the means to help others or have become inspirational figures for the younger generation, according to the program. Potts is an Oakland County Circuit Court judge.October 1, 2014

Margo Nichols, '77, of the law firm of Nichols, Sacks, Slank, Sendelbach & Buiteweg celebrated the firm's 20th anniversary. She was named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's distinguished Women in the Law for 2014, and has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2006.October 24, 2014

Barbara Levin, '77, christened the nation's seventh littoral combat ship, Detroit, by smashing a bottle of champagne over its hull before it was launched Oct. 18, 2014, into the Menominee River at Marinette Marine Corp. in Marinette, Wis. Engineered by a Lockheed Martin-led industry team, the ship will continue to undergo outfitting and testing before delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2015.October 18, 2014

Lawrence McLaughlin, '77, partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP and chair of its real estate department, has been named to the 2014 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame by Midwest Real Estate News. Hall of Fame members are chosen from hundreds of Midwest commercial real estate professionals, who are nominated each year for the depth of their experience and their contributions to the profession. McLaughlin is one of only three attorneys among the 70 professionals named this year.January 28, 2015

Richard Kaufman, '77, a former Wayne County Circuit Court chief judge, has been named deputy county executive, the second-in-command to Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. Kaufman is a partner in the Farmington Hills-based law firm of Zausmer Kaufman August and Caldwell. He previously served as general manager and general counsel of metro Detroit's SMART transportation system.
March 20, 2015

Garey Lindsay, '77, was named regional director of the National Labor Relations Board Regional Office in Cincinnati.June 2, 2015

Linda Hallmark, '77, chief judge pro tem of the Oakland County Probate Court, served as chairperson for the 18th annual Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect Summit held in Traverse City. Hallmark is one of 18 members of the task force, which focuses on setting policies and protocols for victims of child abuse and neglect.
June 10, 2015

William Perrone, '77, of Dykema was appointed to the Michigan Board of Dentistry for a four-year term. Perrone, office managing member of the firm's Lansing office, focuses his practice in the area of state regulations, real estate and mortgage financing for clients in the manufactured housing, energy and insurance sectors. He is a former state assistant attorney general.June 9, 2015

Linda Hallmark, '77, Oakland County probate judge, was honored for 35 years of service to the county.June 25, 2015

Wendy Potts, '77, judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court, has been named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 30 Women in the Law for 2015.July 28, 2015

Nancy Edmunds, '76, was a recipient of the Guardian of Justice Award, given by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Michigan Advisory Board to local judges whose work in upholding civil rights has been exemplary. Edmunds was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan bench on Feb. 10, 1992, by President George Bush. From 1978 until the time she took the bench, Edmunds practiced law in the Detroit law firm of Dykema Gossett. A partner since 1984, she was a member of the firm's commercial litigation section and had acquired extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts.
October 24, 2012

Nancy Edmunds, '76, was featured in a Detroit Free Press article about her presiding over the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption case and other high profile cases. Edmunds is a U.S. district judge appointed to the bench in 1992. The article is titled "Kwame Kilpatrick trial judge Nancy Edmunds helped jurors carry out their duty."March 12, 2013

Ronald Bretz, '76, is writing a legal textbook on criminal law with two colleagues. The book is due to be published in the summer of 2014. He served as an assistant defender with the State Appellate Defender Office for two decades before joining the Cooley Law School faculty. An expert in the field of serology and DNA scientific evidence, Bretz frequently lectures on the topics, and has successfully argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.November 19, 2013

David Marvin, '76, was recently honored with the Leo A. Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award at the Ingham County Bar Association's 119th annual dinner. Marvin has practiced law in the Lansing office of Fraser Trebilcock for more than 37 years. His reputation as a skilled attorney and efficient problem-solver has helped him to develop an impressive national client base and has earned him many honors. Throughout much of his career, he has devoted time and energy to bar association activities, serving as president of the Ingham County Bar Association, president of the Young Lawyers Section of the ICBA, president of the Pro Bono Lawyers Service, chairman of the State Bar's Administrative Law Section, chairman of the ICBA's Administrative Law Section, delegate to the State Bar's Representative Assembly, chairman of four State Bar committees and chairman of at least 10 ICBA committees. In addition, Marvin has devoted his energy and resources to numerous community service organizations, including terms on the boards of directors of the East Lansing Educational Foundation, the Impression Five Science Center, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Audubon Society, the Rotary Club of Lansing, the Boy Scouts of America, the Downtown Coaches Club, Friends of Michigan History and the MSU Alumni Association, among others.November 25, 2013

James Fisher, '76, was named by Gov. Rick Snyder as one of 15 appointments to the newly created Indigent Defense Commission, which aims to improve legal representation for low-income criminal defendants. The board collects data necessary for the review of indigent defense services in Michigan, and creates standards and requirements. Fisher, previously chief judge of Barry County Circuit Court, will chair the commission. He is an attorney with Law Weathers where his primary practice areas are arbitration and mediation. He will represent members submitted by the Michigan Judges Association.June 24, 2014

Susan Reed, '76, was awarded the Unsung Hero Award by the State Bar of Michigan. Reed, a Detroit resident, is a veteran criminal defense attorney and president of the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association.September 19, 2014

Dawn Van Hoek, '76, has been awarded as a Champion of Justice by the Michigan State Bar. Van Hoek of Ann Arbor is director of the State Appellate Defender Office and past president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.September 19, 2014

Dawn Van Hoek, '76, was named one of 30 "Leaders in the Law" for 2015 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She is director of the State Appellate Defender Office.February 10, 2015

Chris Rossman, '75, was recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America 2013." The listings are based on peer review. Rossman is a partner with the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner LLP.September 4, 2012

Margaret Coughlin, '75, was listed in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Coughlin is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Troy. She focuses her practice in the areas of energy and sustainability and environmental.October 22, 2012

David DuMouchel, '75, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Professional Malpractice Law and White-Collar Criminal Defense by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.December 6, 2012

George Sinas, '75, was chosen as Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Lawyer of the Year 2013. Sinas has been at the forefront of fighting the efforts to minimize lifetime comprehensive medical coverage under Michigan no-fault law. Sinas, a senior partner at Sinas Dramis Brake Boughton & McIntyre PC in Lansing, is a board member of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and past president of the Michigan Association for Justice (formerly the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association). He has been representing accident victims for more than 35 years and is a past chairman of the State Bar Negligence Law Section. As general counsel for Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault, in collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, he led a team of lawyers last year in a lawsuit against the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association to obtain financial information under the Freedom of information act. Sinas was one of those who was instrumental in creating CPAN in 2003. It is a bipartisan collection of 26 major medical and consumer groups dedicated to protecting the legal rights and medical benefits of auto accident victims. He has helped guide legislative efforts, not only informing legislators but coming up with strategies and ideas that are making an impact on the debate. Sinas has written and filed amicus briefs for CPAN in numerous no-fault cases in front of the Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court. As CPAN's general counsel, he filed a friend of the court brief in the 2010 watershed case of McCormick v.Carrier. The Michigan Supreme Court, in McCormick, reshaped the analysis for determining whether auto accident victims can collect tort damages. He also is a co-creator of the Michigan "No-Fault RedBook Online," a resource website operated by the Michigan Association for Justice. He teaches no-fault law at the Michigan State University College of LawMarch 29, 2013

Milton Mack Jr., '75, is this year's winner of the Judicial Award for Contributions in Law and Aging given by Elder Law of Michigan. Mack is Wayne County Probate Court chief judge. He earned the award for "his unyielding work protecting vulnerable adults, especially those with mental illnesses, that has contributed to improved treatment for those who need it most."April 30, 2013

Chokwe Lumumba, '75, was elected mayor of Jackson, Miss. A former member of the Jackson City Council, Lumumba is an outspoken civil rights attorney.June 6, 2013

Julius Giarmarco, '75, was named as a U.S. News Best Lawyer. He is also recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer, DBusiness Top Lawyer, Top Attorney in Michigan by the New York Times, and received an "AV" Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability. Giarmarco is chair of the Trusts and Estates Practice Group at Giarmarco Mullins & Horton P.C. He is licensed to practice law in both Michigan and New York. Julius' primary practice areas include estate planning, business succession planning, wealth transfer planning, and life insurance applications. Giarmarco also lectures frequently on a national basis, including speeches before the American Law Institute – American Bar Association, the International Forum, the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting, the Million Dollar Round Table, the American Institute of CPAs, the Life Insurance and Market Research Association, the Financial Planning Association and numerous life insurance companies, brokerage firms and trade associationsAugust 22, 2013

David DuMouchel, '75, has been appointed by the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan as a member of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. He is one of 13 metro Detroit lawyers and community leaders to receive this appointment. A Butzel Long attorney and shareholder based in the firm's Detroit office, DuMouchel chairs the firm's Corporate Compliance, Internal Investigations and Criminal Defense practice. DuMouchel's practice is limited to white collar criminal defense, professional licensure and criminal health care, criminal IRS investigations of both taxpayers and professionals, SEC enforcement of corporate executives, public corruption, as well as grand jury investigations, internal corporate investigations and compliance. Earlier this year, DuMouchel was appointed to serve as a voting member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission Practitioners Advisory Group. One person from each of the 11 federal circuits is appointed to this group. He is a recipient of the prestigious Leonard Gilman Award from the Federal Bar Association as the outstanding criminal law practitioner in the Eastern District of Michigan. He has been named by Best Lawyers as the "2010 Detroit Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year." Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." DuMouchel has been listed in each Best Lawyers edition for the last 30 years, up to and including the most recent. He also is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, and in Michigan Super Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker on internal corporate investigations and federal criminal procedure matters. DuMouchel is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization limited to 1 percent of the trial lawyers in a state by invitation; serves as a member of the Criminal Procedure Committee; and is a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers. DuMouchel served as the first chairman of the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.
December 18, 2013

David DuMouchel, '75, of Butzel Long was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Chokwe Lumumba, '75, who died in 2014, was honored by the Detroit City Council, which is adding a second street sign to Warren Avenue, naming it for him. Lumumba, a longtime civil rights activist, was mayor of Jackson, Miss., at the time of his death. March 24, 2015

James Foresman, '74, joined Dickinson Wright PLLC as a member in the firm's Saginaw office. He is one of five leading practitioners in the health care industry to join the firm's healthcare practice. He focuses his practice on providing regulatory and transaction services for healthcare providers.August 23, 2012

John Cameron Jr., '74, was listed in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Cameron is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Grand Rapids. He focuses his practice in the areas of construction and real estate.October 22, 2012

James Foresman, '74, was listed in Best Lawyers in America for Health Care Law. Foresman is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Saginaw. He focuses his practice in the areas of healthcare and commercial and business litigation.October 22, 2012

Michael Pitt, '74, was the subject of a feature story in the Oakland County Legal News titled "Juvenile justice: Area attorneys come to aid of imprisoned." He is a co-founder of the Royal Oak law firm of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, Rivers, & Golden PC.November 12, 2012

Thomas Radom, '74, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.December 6, 2012

Timothy Baughman, '74, was selected by the Federal Bar Association as this year's recipient of the prestigious Leonard Gillman Award. The Gilman Award is given annually to an outstanding practitioner of criminal law who exemplifies excellence, professionalism, and commitment to public service. Baughman is the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office chief of research, training and appeals. Baughman began his employment with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in 1975. He has appeared seven times in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has argued successfully on all but one occasion. He also has supervised the briefing and argument of four other cases in that court, as well as appearing over 70 times in the Michigan Supreme Court. He is the author of two books, and various articles on criminal law and criminal procedure. He served for eight years as an adjunct professor of law at Wayne State University Law School, teaching Criminal Procedure. Baughman was appointed as Reporter by the Michigan Supreme Court for its Committee to Revise the Rules of Criminal Procedure. He lectures for the National College of District Attorneys, the Michigan Judicial Institute, the Michigan State Bar, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, and various state prosecutors offices around the country. In recent years he has been recognized as a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Lawyer of the Year and as a Leader in the LawApril 10, 2013

George Mercer, '74, was named as a U.S. News Best Lawyer. He also is recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer, dbusiness Top Lawyer, Top Attorney in Michigan by the New York Times, and received an "AV" Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ranking by peers for general ethical standards and legal ability. Mercer concentrates his practice with Giamarco Mullins & Horton P.C. in the areas of real estate, banking and finance, construction, condominium development, environmental and energy law and mortgage lending.August 14, 2013

Daniel Kelly, '74, is among the 20 circuit judges appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve as a business court judge. This assignment continues through April 1, 2019. He recently participated in the Great Lakes States Complex Commercial/Business Court Litigation course provided by the National Judicial College in conjunction with the Michigan Judicial Institute. He also has been admitted to the American College of Business Court Judges and attended the annual meeting of the college at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Additionally, Kelly has been re-appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve as chief judge of all trial courts in St. Clair County for an additional two year term ending January 1, 2016.
November 1, 2013

Joan Young, '74, was named as one of the metropolitan area's top circuit court judges by DBusiness magazine in its January/February 2014 edition. The top judges were selected via a poll of 18,200 attorneys. Young is an Oakland County Circuit Court judge.February 10, 2014

Timothy Pickard, '74, retired after 20 years as judge as Lenawee County Circuit Court. He also has signed an agreement with the Michigan Court Administrative Office to serve on special assignments in Lenawee County and the northern Michigan counties of Mackinac, Emmet, Charlevoix and Muskegon, as well as on state appeals court panels.
April 25, 2014

Roger Cook, '74, has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 in the areas of Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law. He is with Honigman.September 5, 2014

Gene Esshaki, '74, of Abbott Nicholson PC was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Michael Pitt, '74, has been awarded as a Champion of Justice by the State Bar of Michigan. Pitt of Huntington Woods is a founding member of Pitt McGehee Palmer & Rivers PC and specializes in employment law and civil rights litigation.September 19, 2014

Michael Pitt, '74, was interviewed about tort reform for an Asked and Answered column in the Detroit Legal News.November 13, 2014

M. Richard Knoblock, '74, is retiring as judge of 52nd Circuit Court in Huron County. He has held the seat for 36 years.December 5, 2014

Donald Sanderson, '74, is retiring from the 2B District Court bench. The judge has held the seat since 1978.December 28, 2014

Thomas Guyer, '74, was honored by the Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit during its annual Attorney Appreciation Awards. Guyer is a partner with Guyer Rose PLLC and a volunteer attorney with Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc. who has prevented many evictions.April 23, 2015

Gene Esshaki, '74, wrote an article, "Judicial Intervention in Arbitration Proceedings Pre-Award," published in the June Michigan Bar Journal.June 17, 2015

Alan Gilchrist, '73, was recognized by his industry peers as one of the best lawyers in the nation, receiving the AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell for the 30th year in a row. Gillchrist, a partner in the Southfield-based The Health Law Partners PC, chairs the civil false claims and white-collar criminal practice group, and he represents health care providers, suppliers and professional organizations. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Gilchrist established the Michigan Bar Association Institute of Continuing Education. Gilchrist has received numerous accolades, and was selected as an inaugural member of the Fellows of the State Bar of Michigan's Health Care Law Section.

January 23, 2013

Bruce Bigler, '73, has joined the firm of Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC. Bigler was senior partner and president of Bigler Barker PLLC. Over the past three decades, Bigler has concentrated his practice in the area of medical malpractice defense. He is knowledgeable in all fields of alleged medical malpractice, with special concentration in obstetrics. Bigler is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates with an Advocate rating. His outstanding peer ratings have made him an AV attorney in Martindale Hubbell and a Michigan Super Lawyer in 2006 through 2013. He also received the Michigan Association of Justice Respected Advocate Award in 2008. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, as a mediator for the Oakland County Circuit Court, and served on the Medical/Legal Committee of the Oakland County Bar. He is also a member of the Michigan Bar Association and Oakland County Bar Association.
March 11, 2013

Stephen Glazer, '73, was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014 in the fields of Appellate Practice and Corporate Law. He is a member with Barris Sott Denn & Driker, PLLC.August 23, 2013

Louis Ognisanti, '73, was reappointed by the governor to Michigan's Workers' Compensation Board of Magistrates. He was first appointed to the board in 2011. He previously worked the Braun Kendrick Finkbeiner PLC law firm where he specialized in workers' compensation issues.January 27, 2015

Richard Wendt, '72, was listed in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers. Wendt is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Grand Rapids. He focuses his practice in the areas of banking and financial services, corporate finance, municipal law and finance, and real estate.October 22, 2012

Robert Hudson, '72, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Business Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities Law by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.December 6, 2012

William W. Swor, '72, was elected as president of the board of directors at ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services). He's served on the group's board since 1999. Swor is of Lebanese descent and is founder of the Detroit law firm William W. Swor & Associates. He is a member of the board of directors of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and served two terms as chair of the General Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan. In 2005, he received the Defender of Justice award from the Detroit and Michigan Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. He's earned many other honors for his work, as well.January 30, 2014

Robert Lenihan, '72, was named general counsel of Harness Dickey, where he is a partner in the firm's litigation practice group. In addition to his litigation practice, he is responsible for advising the Executive Committee on selected legal issues.March 17, 2014

Robert Hudson, '72, has been instrumental in planning the May 23 annual gala and awards ceremony of the French American Chamber of Commerce Michigan Chapter. Hudson is president emeritus of the chapter and a shareholder with the Detroit office of Butzel Long. The FACC is a not-for-profit business organization committed to the improvement of economic, commercial and financial relations between France and the United States.April 3, 2014

Lawrence Katz, '72, was presented with the 2013 "Barbara R. Levine Award in Recognition of Excellence in Appellate Advocacy" by the Appellate Defender Commission in March 2014. The annual award honors a Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System roster member whose appellate advocacy achieves outstanding results or who demonstrates extraordinary commitment on behalf of appellate assigned clients. His article, "Preserving Issues for Appeal in Criminal Cases," appeared in the October 2013 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal. His article, "Amanda Knox: An American's Journey through the Italian Justice System," appeared in the Fall 2013 issue of the National Italian American Bar Association News.April 8, 2014

William Swor, '72, was named by Gov. Rick Snyder as one of 15 appointments to the newly created Indigent Defense Commission, which aims to improve legal representation for low-income criminal defendants. The board collects data necessary for the review of indigent defense services in Michigan, and creates standards and requirements. Swor, an attorney with William W. Swor, will represent members submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorney Association of Michigan.June 24, 2014

William Sankbeil, '71, of Kerr Russell and Weber PLC was named to the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

Robert Nix, '71, was selected for 2013 "The Best Lawyers in America" for his work in the practice area of real estate law. He was ranked in the Top 100 Attorneys by Michigan Super Lawyers 2012. He is a member of Kerr Russell and Weber PLC.September 20, 2012

Marilyn Kelly, '71, was named "Woman of the Year" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Kelly has been a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court since 1996 and served as chief justice from 2009 to 2011.October 5, 2012

Robert Berlow, '71, was listed in the 2013 Business Edition of Michigan Super Lawyers for his expertise in the Real Estate practice area. Attorneys are chosen for the honor based on peer recognition and professional achievements in their practice area. Berlow is with the Farmington Hills office of Couzens Lansky Fealk Ellis Roeder & Lazar PC. He also was recognized in the Super Lawyers Business Edition 2013, a separate national publication.January 13, 2014

Jon Muth, '71, was recognized by the Grand Rapids Bar Association with the Donald R. Worsfold Distinguished Service Award. Muth has been honored numerous times over the course of his career. He served as the president of the State Bar of Michigan for two terms, and was given the Robert P. Hudson Award for his impact on influencing the direction of the profession. Muth has supported and served many community organizations including the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Grand Rapids Ballet. However, the group his name is most connected with is the Legal Assistance Center. He was instrumental to LAC's early success, and has dedicated more than 10 years to this initiative which now serves more than 17,000 persons annually. He is with law firm Miller Johnson of Grand Rapids.April 30, 2014

Jon Muth, '71, of Miller Johnson was named to the Top 10 and the Top 100 list by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.September 19, 2014

John McSorley, '71, a shareholder with Garan Lucow Miller PC, received the Respected Advocate Award from the Michigan Association for Justice.September 19, 2014

Peter Sugar, '70, was selected by Best Lawyers as a "2014 Lawyer of the Year" in the practice areas of corporate law, mergers and acquisition law, securities/capital markets law and securities regulation. Sugar represents both private and public companies in securities regulation, financing transactions, acquisitions and divestitures, e-commerce and corporate law. Sugar also counsels emerging companies in formation, financing and governance of business, including equity, debt and hybrid capitalization transactions. Sugar has been honored in The Best Lawyers in America for at least 10 years and has received multiple Super Lawyer awards, in addition to a DBusiness Top Rated Lawyer, Donald H. Gordon Award for Teaching Excellence and the Richard J. Barber Wayne Law Review Alumni Achievement Award. He is a partner at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC.September 19, 2013

William B. Murphy, '70, was reappointed as chief judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. He was appointed to the court in 1988 and has served as chief judge since November 2009. Under Murphy's guidance, the Court of Appeals was recently named a leader in automation of court business practices by the National Center for State Courts. Murphy has served and continues to serve on numerous civic and bar-related organizations; he is a former chair of the Judicial Tenure Commission. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal and is a member of the Judicial Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committee for the Michigan Justice Project.November 7, 2013

Pat M. Donofrio, '70, was appointed to serve on the state's Court of Claims. He was a Macomb County Circuit judge, and served as presiding judge of the court's civil/criminal division, before his appointment to the Court of Appeals in 2002 by Gov. John Engler. He was elected to the Court of Appeals in 2004 and 2010. November 21, 2013

William Murphy, '70, was recently elected to serve as the treasurer of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal throughout the United States. This leadership position is the first on Murphy's path to being elected as the council's president within the next few years. The Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal was formed in 1980 when judicial leaders of state appellate courts around the nation recognized the need to have "a body for consultation" and education "concerning the improvement of the administration of justice, rules and methods of procedure, and the organization and operation of state intermediate appellate courts." In addition to his recent election, Murphy was also asked to continue serving on the Council's Executive Board Committee. He was reappointed as chief judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals in November. He was appointed to the court in 1988 and has served as chief judge since November 2009.December 19, 2013

Thomas Lewand, '70, was named to the cabinet of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to serve as group exeuctive, jobs and economic growth. Lewand is a business, health care and municipal law and finance lawyer at Bodman in Detroit. He has worked in a number of high-profile capacities, including facilitating the building of Ford Field, serving as Gov. Jennifer Granholm's facilitator in a deal for $50 million in state help for the Detroit Medical Center and as a special master appointed by U.S. District Judge John Feikens during the Detroit Water and Sewer Department's federal oversight.December 20, 2013

Clark Johnson, '70, was elected by the students of the Michigan State University College of Law as the Distinguished Doctrinal Faculty Member of the Year for 2014. He served as assistant attorney general of Michigan and was a partner in the law firm of Schmidt Nahas Coburn and Johnson. He joined the law college faculty in 1973. He teaches Contracts, Equity, Insurance Law, Medical-Legal Problems, Mortgages, Property and Secured Transactions.May 6, 2014

Martin Reisig, '70, was named the Best Lawyers' 2015 Detroit Mediation "Lawyer of the Year." Only a single lawyer in each practice area in each community is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year."August 19, 2014

William Murphy, '70, chief judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals, was honored with the Judicial Excellence Award by the Michigan Association for Justice at its annual banquet.June 15, 2015